The future of Holbeach Town Band looks uncertain unless it can find a new bandroom before Spring.
The successful band, which has a thriving membership, will have to vacate its premises in the Spring.
Musical director Mel Hopkin said: “The band was formed in 1971 and practiced at the George Farmer School.
“In 1978 the Jehovah’s Witness Hall in Back Lane came on the market for £4,000.
“It was ideal, but the band did not have the money so they asked Holbeach Parish Council for help.
“The council bought the hall and let it to the band for a 30-year term at a nominal rent of £5 per annum.
“At the end of the lease in 2008 the council extended it for a further five years and then extended it again until Spring 2016.
“The council has told us the lease will not be extended again and we have to vacate the premises, so we have until next spring to find a suitable room.
“We have been actively seeking sponsorship and applying for grants so we can buy our own property and have raised £10,000 so far.
“We have looked at likely halls with a view to renting, but for various reasons these have not been satisfactory – lack of secure storage facilities for our instruments, equipment and music library; limited availability; too far from Holbeach; unaffordable.
“We now find ourselves in a position of uncertainty as to the future of the band in this area. To ensure the band’s future and continued development it is essential the band has its own premises.
“Not only will it provide secure storage facilities, it will offer an ideal base to continue to invest in the children of our community through individual and group lessons in playing instruments, reading music and in music theory.
“Without the ability to train new musicians, the future of the band looks gloomy!”
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